“To renew and deepen our relationship with the Saints, Blessed, and Servants of God of the Vincentian Family around the world as models of the Vincentian charism and spirituality” and “To renew and deepen the ‘Culture of Vocations’ ” are the next steps of the Vincentian Family’s journey. The Superior General, Father Tomaž Mavrič, CM, indicated this in his letter “On the Threshold of the Fifth Century of the Vincentian Charism,” written at the closing of the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian Charism. The text is simultaneously both praise and thanks for what was done during this jubilee that officially concludes on 25 January. It is no coincidence that the Superior General makes his own the Pauline expression, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens” (Ephesians 1:3). In his letter, he briefly recalls the many initiatives that characterized this period. Some have passed already, like the International Vincentian Family Symposium in Rome. Others are in progress like the Vincentian Family Global Initiative on Homelessness (FAMVIN Homeless Alliance), officially launched during the Symposium in Rome, and the pilgrimage of the relic of the heart of Saint Vincent de Paul. Finally, others are still to be carried out, like the Vincentian Film Festival, called “Finding Vince 400,” also officially launched during the Symposium in Rome and to be held from 18-21 October 2018 at Castel Gandolfo.

Father Mavrič looks to the continuation of the Vincentian Family’s journey in the spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul who, “when he was asked what else could he do in life, responded ‘more.’ ” The reference then to the Vincentian Family saints is in order to consider them models of spirituality and of the Vincentian charism. To do this, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission identifies a path for renewing veneration and recourse to the intercession of the Saints, Blessed and Servants of God, first of all in their place of origin. He suggests the organization of meetings to make them known, of pilgrimages, of celebrations, and of incessant prayer to ask for the canonization of others and new candidates for holiness. “Saints, Blessed, and Servants of God … speak or can speak to children, youth, adults, all people of today, at this time in history as role models of holiness. They are also one of the resources for new vocations to consecrated life or active lay involvement in the different branches of the Vincentian Family, in the mission of Jesus, in the mission of the Church.” Here then is the second point highlighted by Father Tomaž who invites the members of the Vincentian Family to “strive together for a renewed Culture of Vocations.” The Superior General explains that “When we look for reasons for the decline in vocations to the consecrated life, in active participation of youth and adults in the life of the Church, and in faith in some parts of the world, we often hear the following reasons: consumerism, materialism, individualism, egoism, systematic laicization of society, etc. We can call this an ‘Anti-Culture of Vocations.’ I would like to invite us to unite all our efforts at showing the children, youth, and adults of today, who are caught in this ‘Anti-Culture of Vocations,’ the beauty, attractiveness, and life-giving meaning of responding with a resounding “Yes” to Jesus’s call!” This proposal applies to everyone because, as Father Mavrič underlines, “The Culture of Vocations means an environment in which all people can discover and rediscover their reason for being on this earth, the meaning of life, the mission they are called to fulfill, the call they are invited to answer. The Culture of Vocations puts Jesus in first place, no matter if it is as a layperson or a consecrated person.” Vincentian attention to this theme places the large Vincentian Family in full harmony with the upcoming Synod as pointed out by the Superior General at the conclusion of the letter, “The beginning of the fifth century of the Vincentian Charism gives us another opportunity to make renewed efforts toward a Culture of Vocations. This is also very much in tune with the theme of this year’s Synod of Bishops, which will take place in October in Rome, ‘Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.’ ”

From about 12pm (6am Eastern Time), you will be able to see the live transmission of the Pope’s audience with the Vincentian Family on the English language channels of EWTN (UK/IRELAND/ITALY). To search the EWTN channels that broadcast in the United States, click on www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

SUNDAY, 15 OCTOBER, THE MASS IN THE BASILICA OF SAINT PAUL OUTSIDE-THE-WALLS WILL BE PRERECORDED AND BROADCAST AT 21:00 (9PM) (CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME) ON:

Society of St. Vincent de Paul hosts 10th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk/Run

(A Downloadable Press packet is at the end)

People across the country will walk and run on the sidewalks, streets and trails on Saturday, Sept. 30 to raise awareness and funds for those living in poverty at the 10th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk/Run, sponsored by the National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently about 43.1 million people living in poverty. That is approximately 13.5 percent of the population.

“All proceeds and donations from the event stay in the area where they are raised and go directly to benefit people living in poverty in the communities served by SVdP. There are no administrative fees for the Friends of the Poor Walk/Run.”

“Back in 2008, we received the same email every other SVdP group did about initiating a Friends of the Poor Walk/Run,” said Ruth Anne White, secretary of the Society’s St. William Conference in Waukesha, Wis. White has been involved with the Friends of the Poor Walk since its inception. “The intent was to bring awareness of who we were at SVdP and why we were dedicated to our mission.”

The event in each community is designed and operated by the local SVdP chapter in that area. Therefore, details such as the date and time may vary by location. Most events will be held around Sept. 27, the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul, the patron saint of all works of charity.

In 2008, the first year for the walk, participants raised $837,688. In 2016, more than 28,000 people participated in the Friends of the Poor Walk/Run at 240 locations and more than $3.1 million was raised to help those in need in local communities. That is a more than 270 percent increase in funds raised to help people in need since the walk began.

“The most we have raised in a single year is approximately $36,000. This is a significant increase from the $1,500 we were delighted with ten years ago,” said White. “The continued generosity of our supporters subsidizes our ability to be more generous with families who turn to us for help. The money raised from the walk helps us provide our neighbors in need with the basics like a roof over their heads, food on the table and the lights on. All our lives touch for a reason. We are truly grateful for this and we are finding every year ‘new’ Friends of the Poor.”

Funds raised by the walk help Vincentians provide immediate aid such as rent and utility assistance and food as well as longer term help with mentoring and education programs.

“The Friends of the Poor Walk/Run helps our members’ ability to provide the necessary resources and funds to our neighbors in need,” said Dave Barringer, SVdP National CEO. “While the Society provides immediate assistance to people in need, our focus is also on systemic change and long-term solutions. We try to identify the underlying causes that have put an individual or family in poverty so that we can assist them in changing their situation. We work to empower people in poverty and give them the necessary tools to move permanently out of a state of extreme need. Events like the Friends of the Poor Walk/Run help generate the resources to reach that goal.”

All proceeds and donations from the event stay in the area where they are raised and go directly to benefit people living in poverty in the communities served by SVdP. There are no administrative fees for the Friends of the Poor Walk/Run. Anyone interested in learning more, participating or making a donation can visit www.fopwalk.org for more information.

One of the largest charitable organizations in the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (www.svdpusa.org) is an international, nonprofit, Catholic lay organization of about 800,000 men and women who voluntarily join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 150 countries on five continents. With the U.S. headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., membership in the United States totals nearly 100,000 in 4,400 communities.

SVdP offers a variety of programs and services, including home visits, housing assistance, disaster relief, education and mentoring, food pantries, dining halls, clothing, assistance with transportation, prescription medication, and rent and utility costs. The Society also works to provide care for the sick, the incarcerated and the elderly. Over the past year, SVdP provided over $1.2 billion in tangible and in-kind services to those in need, made more than 1.8 million personal visits (homes, hospitals, prisons and eldercare facilities) and helped more than 23.8 million people regardless of race, religion or national origin.

Years ago, our confrere Father Toscani, CM, started to develop the idea, which was later further developed by Father Hugh O’Donnell, CM, of Vincent de Paul as a “Mystic of Charity.” It was Father Karl Rahner, SJ, who, at the end of the 20th century, expressed the following thought: Christians in the 21st century are going to be mystics or they will cease to exist. What a beautiful invitation for us who try to live the charism that Vincent de Paul left, to keep discovering, developing, and deepening Vincent’s way: being a “Mystic of Charity.”

The Vincentian Family is a gift from God. It is here to keep nurturing us, to keep us growing, and to keep deepening our mission together in the service of the poor. We have just finished the “Year of Collaboration” within the Vincentian Family. It was a year filled with blessings! We got to know each other better, we discovered new gifts within our members and branches, and deepened our own closeness with Jesus, through Mary and the many blessed and saints of the Vincentian Family to better understand and serve the poor. It is with great hope that we can look to the future. May Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal intercede and guide us on the road and may Providence continue to lead us.